DURHAM — Few players on the University of New Hampshire football team were happier to be on the field for Saturday’s Blue-White scrimmage than Cody Muller.

It wasn’t that long ago when the senior defensive end thought his career might be over.

He was waiting to find out if the NCAA was going to grant him a medical hardship waiver which would give him another year of eligibility.

“I’m more than excited,” Muller said. “When I heard the news I was going to be back it was probably the best news I’ve heard in a long time. ... We were waiting for a while. It’s a long process to go through. When I finally heard, it was awesome.”

Coach Sean McDonnell decided to have a little fun with Muller before he broke the good news.

“He walked into my office and I put the jersey on a chair,” McDonnell said. “I told him to take a look at it (because) ‘It’s the last time you’re going wear that jersey. We might be getting new jerseys next year so you’re not going to wear that one.’ He just looked at me and said, ‘I can’t believe you just did that.’”

The 6-foot-4, 254-pounder from Telford, Pa., missed his sophomore season after undergoing surgery to have his colon removed.

Muller was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, but when the medication he was taking no longer worked, he had to have the operation.

“It kept me out of school and out of football,” he said. “I was back home for a whole semester, which was probably the worst time being away from the guys and away from the team. But it paid off. I recovered full.”

Since returning Muller has started 26 of the last 27 games over the past two seasons, including all 15 last year when the Wildcats reached the FCS semifinals for the first time.

His 54 tackles ranked second among UNH defensive linemen last season, and his 10 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks led the D-linemen.

“I’m happy to be with the guys,” Muller said, “and help them get to the next level.”

As if the news he was getting to play another year of college football wasn’t good enough, he was also voted co-captain by his teammates.

“It’s a great feeling,” Muller said. “It’s nice to have that respect. I’m real excited to represent the team.”

He’ll be part of a rotation at defensive end that will include seniors Brian Ciccone, a converted tight end, and Robbie Zauck, who missed all of the last season with a knee injury.

Muller forced two fumbles in 2013 and recovered one.

“The kid’s excited to be playing,” McDonnell said. “He’s a captain. It’s a great honor for him. He deserves it. He’s a true indication of what this program’s all about.”

“He’s a great player, great leader,” said senior offensive lineman Rob Bowman. “We’re real excited to have him back.”

Bowman, who will move from right tackle to left tackle next season, is the other co-captain.

He’ll now have the job of protecting a right-handed quarterback’s blind side.

“It’s been an easy transition,” Bowman said. “I enjoy it. I like the pressure and responsibility of playing left tackle.”

The 6-foot-5, 302-pounder from Chesire, Conn., started 27 consecutive games at right tackle, including all 15 last season for the CAA’s third-ranked offense.

“I think both of them lead by example,” McDonnell said. “They were both very, very good players for us last year. They’re kids that everybody in this program looks up to. The difference is now they’ve got to become more vocal. I feel very confident they’re going to do it.”

As successful as the team was last year after recovering from a 1-3 start, the Wildcats still fell two wins short of their ultimate goal.

“I think it gives us more motivation,” Muller said. “The goal is to do better than last year.”